title: Mindfulness-based therapy: a comprehensive meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) has become a popular form of intervention. However, the existing reviews report inconsistent findings.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To clarify these inconsistencies in the literature, we conducted a comprehensive effect-size analysis to evaluate the efficacy of MBT.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of studies published in journals or in dissertations in PubMED or PsycINFO from the first available date until May 10, 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 209 studies (n=12,145) were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Effect-size estimates suggested that MBT is moderately effective in pre-post comparisons (n=72; Hedge's g=.55), in comparisons with waitlist controls (n=67; Hedge's g=.53), and when compared with other active treatments (n=68; Hedge's g=.33), including other psychological treatments (n=35; Hedge's g=.22). MBT did not differ from traditional CBT or behavioral therapies (n=9; Hedge's g=-.07) or pharmacological treatments (n=3; Hedge's g=.13).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MBT is an effective treatment for a variety of psychological problems, and is especially effective for reducing anxiety, depression, and stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada. b.el-khoury@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Bassam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Khoury
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lecomte
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fortin
authors.forename: Marjolaine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masse
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Therien
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bouchard
authors.forename: Marie-Andrée
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Chapleau
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Paquin
authors.forename: Stefan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Hofmann
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D064866:Mindfulness; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Meditation; Meta-analysis; Mindfulness; Treatment outcome